consistently

American  

[kuhn-sis-tuhnt-lee] / kənˈsɪs tənt li /

adverb

1. with no or very few exceptions; typically; usually.

   We hope the new system will lead to teachers and administrators who are consistently well-prepared and well-supported, and who will continue to grow throughout their careers.

2. regularly or frequently.

   The museum consistently ranks as one of the top 10 children's museums in the country.

   As a premier chamber music ensemble, they consistently perform to sold-out houses around the world.

3. in a way that adheres to the same principles, course, form, etc..

   Similarly situated employees must be treated consistently under all company policies.

---

Other Word Forms

• quasi-consistently
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of consistently

consistent ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

The adverb consistently describes something that's done the same way for a long time. If your mom consistently forgets to add sugar when she's baking cookies, it means you can count on inedible cookies. When something happens again and again, it happens consistently. In fact, the Latin root is consistentem, meaning "standing still." Consistently is most often used to describe something you can depend on, like consistently getting hungry right before lunch, or your dog consistently appearing by your side to cheer you up whenever you're feeling sad.

Example Sentences

Intel’s foundry “has consistently been a loss leader,” Bajarin said.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

Countries that consistently outperform the U.S. on international tests, including Japan and South Korea, have larger classes on average.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

There is also value in distinguishing between information and action — research on perceived control and stress consistently shows that the gap between awareness and agency is one of the strongest predictors of psychological distress.

From Science Daily • Jun. 16, 2026

"The tactics of these groups consistently grow more and more exploitative," she wrote in an email to the OnlyFans support team in 2024, seen by the BBC.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026

With Aunt Maggie gone, my mother could not earn enough to feed us and my stomach kept so consistently empty that my head ached most of the day.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Related Words

• always
• constantly
• frequently
• normally
• persistently
• regularly
• routinely
• steadily
• typically